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   JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has come to a standstill for two mournful minutes as sirens pierced the air to remember the 6 million Jews systematically murdered by German Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust in WWII.

   Israelis stopped what they were doing and stood in silence as sirens wailed nationwide Monday at 10:00 a.m.

   People stood with heads bowed in reflection. Traffic froze as drivers stopped their cars and stepped outside in respect for the solemn day.

   Ceremonies are held around the country. The main wreath laying ceremony is held at the Yad Vashem memorial in Jerusalem.

   International Holocaust Remembrance Day is marked worldwide on Jan. 27, the date of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. Israel's annual Holocaust memorial day coincides with the Hebrew date of the Warsaw ghetto uprising.

JERUSALEM (AP) - Hundreds of pilgrims have walked the traditional Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City that retraces Jesus' steps.

They hoisted wooden crosses, chanting prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus. Today's procession ended at the ancient Holy Sepulcher church. Later today there'll be a Mass in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

This evening in Rome, thousands of Catholics will take part in the "Via Crucis" or "Way of the Cross" procession to the Colosseum led by newly elected Pope Francis.

Tonight's celebration follows an unusual Holy Thursday where the pope gave mass at a prison for minors in Rome. There, he washed the feet of twelve young prisoners, two of whom were Muslim and for the first time, two women.

This weekend's celebration will culminate with mass on Easter Sunday in St. Peter's.